Bitcoin mining company MARA Holdings Inc. is making a strategic pivot into artificial intelligence (AI) by acquiring a majority stake in EDF’s Exaion, a French high-performance computing and AI infrastructure firm. The deal, valued at $168 million, will give MARA a 64% controlling interest in Exaion.
The acquisition will be a multi-step process, with MARA’s French unit, MARA France SAS, purchasing new and existing shares. The initial phase is expected to close in late 2025 or early 2026, pending regulatory approval in France and Canada. A second phase, planned for March 2027, would increase MARA’s ownership to approximately 75%. This move marks MARA’s most significant step toward diversifying its business beyond the volatile cryptocurrency mining sector.
Exaion provides advanced computing power and specialized cloud platforms, which are crucial for running AI applications and big data analysis. By acquiring Exaion, MARA will be able to offer services that focus on AI inference (running trained models) rather than the more resource-intensive task of training models from scratch. This strategy also aligns with the growing demand for digital sovereignty, as Exaion’s facilities allow clients to store and process sensitive data securely within regional jurisdictions.
This deal positions MARA to compete in the fast-growing AI market, offering tailored solutions directly to clients. The company’s stock rose 1.8% to $15.67 following the announcement, valuing the company at $5.8 billion. If the acquisition is successful, MARA will be well-positioned in both the AI sector and the cryptocurrency mining industry.
August 2025, Cryptoniteuae
